Buffalo in Iraq
Iraq had 269,940 buffalo in 2024, the 19th largest in the world (0.13% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 44%. The record was 410,000 head in 2006.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 269,940 head
- World rank
- 19 of 47
- 10-year change
- +44%
- Record
- 410,000 head
- 2006
Buffalo in Iraq, 1961–2024 (head)
Iraq compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.13%
- 0.09% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +44%
- world +6.9%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Italy | 437,000 | 0.21% |
| 18 | Sri Lanka | 336,540 | 0.16% |
| 19 | Iraq | 269,940 | 0.13% |
| 20 | Turkey | 162,051 | 0.08% |
| 21 | Iran | 137,869 | 0.07% |
Map of buffalo numbers by country
Share of the world total; Iraq is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 269,940 | +3.6% |
| 2023 | 260,564 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 251,194 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 242,161 | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 233,453 | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 225,058 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 216,965 | +3.7% |
| 2017 | 209,163 | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 201,642 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 194,391 | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 187,401 | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 180,662 | −42% |
| 2012 | 312,000 | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 302,000 | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 295,000 | +3.1% |
| 2009 | 286,000 | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 285,537 | −28% |
| 2007 | 396,000 | −3.4% |
| 2006 | 410,000 | +92% |
| 2005 | 213,000 | +92% |
| 2004 | 111,000 | −3.5% |
| 2003 | 115,000 | −4.2% |
| 2002 | 120,000 | +10% |
| 2001 | 109,000 | −5.2% |
| 2000 | 115,000 | +28% |
| 1999 | 90,000 | +13% |
| 1998 | 80,000 | +29% |
| 1997 | 62,250 | +25% |
| 1996 | 50,000 | −29% |
| 1995 | 70,000 | −20% |
| 1994 | 87,000 | −19% |
| 1993 | 108,000 | +2.9% |
| 1992 | 105,000 | −4.5% |
| 1991 | 110,000 | −27% |
| 1990 | 150,000 | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 145,000 | +2.8% |
| 1988 | 141,000 | +0.7% |
| 1987 | 140,000 | −1.0% |
| 1986 | 141,483 | −8.7% |
| 1985 | 155,000 | −8.8% |
| 1984 | 170,000 | −2.9% |
| 1983 | 175,000 | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 174,000 | −0.6% |
| 1981 | 175,000 | +2.9% |
| 1980 | 170,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 170,000 | 0.0% |
| 1978 | 170,000 | +6.3% |
| 1977 | 160,000 | +9.6% |
| 1976 | 146,000 | −9.3% |
| 1975 | 161,000 | −13% |
| 1974 | 184,000 | −23% |
| 1973 | 240,000 | −4.0% |
| 1972 | 250,000 | −7.4% |
| 1971 | 270,000 | −6.3% |
| 1970 | 288,000 | +6.7% |
| 1969 | 270,000 | +3.8% |
| 1968 | 260,000 | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 250,000 | +4.2% |
| 1966 | 240,000 | +6.8% |
| 1965 | 224,622 | −2.3% |
| 1964 | 230,000 | −4.2% |
| 1963 | 240,000 | −2.0% |
| 1962 | 245,000 | −2.0% |
| 1961 | 250,000 | — |
Questions and answers
How many buffalo are there in Iraq?
Iraq had 269,940 buffalo in 2024, 0.13% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iraq rank in the world by number of buffalo?
Iraq ranked 19th of 47 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in India with 53.0% of the world total.
How has the number of buffalo in Iraq changed?
It rose by 44% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +6.9% for the world. The record was 410,000 head in 2006.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for Iraq is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.